The Irish Independent is Ireland's largest-selling daily newspaper. It is published in both compact and broadsheet formats and is the flagship publication of Independent News & Media. It is a sister newspaper to the Sunday Independent.

History[link]

The Irish Independent was formed in 1905 as the direct successor to the Daily Irish Independent, an 1890s pro-Parnellite newspaper, and was launched by William Martin Murphy, a controversial Irish nationalist businessman, staunch anti-Parnellite and fellow townsman of Parnell's most venomous opponent, Bantry's Timothy Michael Healy.^[1]

During the 1913 Lockout of workers, in which Murphy was the leading figure among the employers, the Irish Independent vigorously sided with its owner's interests, publishing news reports and opinion pieces hostile to the strikers, expressing confidence in the unions' defeat and launching personal attacks on the leader of the strikers, James Larkin. The Irish Independent described the 1916 Easter Rising as "insane and criminal" and famously called for the shooting of its leaders.^[2] In December 1919, during the Irish War of Independence, a group of twenty IRA men destroyed the printing works of the paper, angered at its criticism of the Irish Republican Army and largely pro-British and Unionist stance. In 1924, the traditional nationalist newspaper, the Freeman's Journal, merged with the Irish Independent.

For most of its history, the Irish Independent (also called simply the Independent or, more colloquially, the Indo) was seen as a nationalist, Catholic newspaper, which gave its political allegiance to Cumann na nGaedheal and later its successor party, Fine Gael.

In the 1970s, it was taken over by former Heinz chairman Tony O'Reilly. Under his leadership, it became a more populist, market liberal newspaper—populist on social issues, but economically right-wing. By the mid-nineties its allegiance to Fine Gael had ended. In the 1997 general election, it endorsed Fianna Fáil under a front page editorial, entitled "It's Payback Time". While it suggested its headline referred to the fact that the election offered a chance to "pay back" politicians for their failings, its opponents suggested that the "payback" actually referred to its chance to get revenge for the refusal of the Rainbow Coalition to award the company a mobile phone licence.^[3] Tony O'Reilly disputes this claim.

In late 2004, Independent Newspapers moved from their traditional home in Middle Abbey Street to a new office, "Independent House" in Talbot Street, with the printing facilities already relocated to the Citywest business park near Tallaght.

On 27 September 2005, a fortnight after the paper published its centenary edition, it was announced that editor Vinnie Doyle would step down after 24 years in the position. He was replaced by Gerry O'Regan, who had until then been editor of the Irish Independent's sister paper, the Evening Herald.

Exambrief[link]

Irish Independent in cooperation with the Institute of Education produce Exam Brief, a yearly six part supplement dedicated to preparation for Leaving and Junior Certificate exams.^[4] This supplement is published in February, March and April each year.

Related papers, market share and concerns[link]

Excluding The Sun and the Daily Mirror, most of the content of which are produced in the United Kingdom, the Independent Group owns just over 67% of Irish daily newspapers.^[5] INM-owned or partly owned titles have 58% of the newspaper market on Sunday.^{[citation needed]} With the closure of the Evening Press, the Independent's Evening Herald is now the only Irish national evening newspaper. Another sister paper is the Sunday Independent.

Other newspapers in the Independent News & Media group include the Daily Star (Irish edition), the Sunday World, many local Irish newspapers, as well as newspapers in Australia and South Africa.

The Independent News and Media Group had a major share in the Sunday Tribune, a Sunday broadsheet before its closure in 2011.

The Independent News & Media Group has been accused of holding an "unhealthy dominance" of the Irish newspaper market,^[6] all the more so since the demise of the Irish Press, Evening Press and Sunday Press newspapers published by the Irish Press Group in 1995.

The Independent News and Media Group also owns online business directory site Your Local that provides local business information on approximately 100,000 Irish businesses.

References[link]

1. ^ Andy Bielenberg, Entrepreneurship, Power, and Public Opinion in Ireland; The career of William Martin Murphy
2. ^ Easter Rising newspaper archive—from the BBC History website
3. ^ Irish Examiner archives—O’Reilly ‘took revenge in editorial’
4. ^ "Exam Brief". Irish Independent. http://www.independent.ie/education/exam-brief/. Retrieved 5 March 2011. 
5. ^ Irish Examiner archives—O’Reilly's global empire still built on print’
6. ^ Oireachtas Debate

External links[link]

• Official website

This biographical article needs additional citations for verification. Its only attribution is to IMDb, which may not be a reliable source for biographical information. Please help by adding additional, reliable sources for verification. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libelous or harmful. (May 2011)

Morgan Kelly is a Canadian actor known for his role on Fries with That? as Alexander "Alex" Kurzi. He also appears on Falcon Beach as Lane Bradshaw, a juvenile delinquent and as "Skinny" briefly on Degrassi: The Next Generation. He also played a small part in the film A History of Violence as a friend to the bully who picks on Jack Stall. He plays a recurring role in the series Being Erica,^[1] and also made a one-episode appearance on Flashpoint.

Morgan was born on June 23, 1976 to British parents in Montreal, Quebec. He also has a sister, who is not in the acting business.

References[link]

External links[link]

• Morgan Kelly at the Internet Movie Database

This article about a Canadian actor or actress is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v t e

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (August 2010)

Cian O'Connor
Personal information
Full name	Cian O'Connor
Nationality	Ireland
Discipline	Show jumping
Born	(1979-11-12) 12 November 1979 (age 32) Dublin, Republic of Ireland
Height	5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Weight	163 lb (74 kg; 11 st 9 lb)
Medal record Disqualified 2004 Athens Individual jumping

Cián O'Connor (born 12 November 1979)^{[citation needed]} is an Irish equestrian who competes in the sport of showjumping.

He won a show jumping gold medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics,^[1] which was later stripped from him due to drug offences.^[2] He continues to ride.

Rolex World Ranking[link]

O'Connor reached his highest ever World Ranking of 29th in the June 2011 Rankings (No. 125).

He reached the second-highest Irish ranked rider in May 2009 (No. 101) where he was ranked 35th.

Cian's Current World Ranking (as of the end of March 2012) is 77 - Ireland's No. 5.

Notable Horses[link]

Waterford Crystal Gelding / Bay / 1991 / Landgraf

Winner of 8 Nations Cups and the horse that centered the controversy of the 2004 Olympic Games where O'Connor was stripped of the Gold Medal (See below).

Irish Independent Casper Gelding / Grey / 1992 / Cantus

A very versatile horse that won the Puissance at the 'Kerrygold' Dublin Horse show - clearing 7'5". The pair also jumped clear rounds in Nation Cups and in Grands Prix.

Irish Independent Echo Beach Mare / Chestnut / 1997 / Clover Echo x Cavalier Royale

Winner of many International Classes including the Nations Cup of Lummen, Belgium in 2007, and the World Cup Qualifier in Tripoli, Libya in 2009.

Complete Gelding / Chestnut / 1997 / Comeback II - owned by Castlemartin Stud

Jumped clear on many Nations Cup teams and Grands Prix all over the world. Finished second in the Grand Prix at the 5* Geneva in 2008. He was also selected as the Irish Reserve for the 2008 Olympic Games.

Splendor Gelding / Chestnut / 1999 / Lester - owned by Cian and Stephen O'Connor, and then Ahmed Tolba

Many International wins, and placings in Grands Prix and Nations Cups, including finishing 3rd in the Grand Prix of the 4* La Coruna in 2009.

Rancorrado Gelding / Dark Bay / 1998 / Gran Corrado - owned by Aileen Bryan

Winner of 3 International Grands Prix - CSI4* Lyon 2008, CSI5*-W London 2009, CSI4* Basel 2010. The pair have also been placed on Nations Cup teams all over the world, and in World Cup qualifiers.

K Club Lady Mare / Bay / 1999 / Calido I - owned by Ashkirk Ltd.

Winner of the Nations Cup of Aachen 2010. She also finished second in the Grand Prix at the 5* St. Gallen

Larkhill Cruiser Gelding / Chestnut / 2001 / Cruising x Crosstown Dancer - owned by Cian O'Connor

In their short time together from late November 2010 until May 2011, Cian and Larkhill Cruiser had been on the winning team of the CSIO5* La Baule FEI Nations Cup in 2011, been placed in 4 Grands Prix, won world-ranking classes, and earned €98,000 in prize money.

Jumping career[link]

2004 Olympic Games[link]

Riding his horse, Waterford Crystal, he became an instant national hero, being the only Irish medalist that year. However, on 8 October 2004, it emerged that Waterford Crystal had tested positive for a prohibited substance. Components of the 'B' sample were stolen, as were documents from the Irish Equestrian Federation offices. However, the B blood sample also tested positive for prohibited, but not performance-enhancing, substances, which had been prescribed to the horse some time earlier.

The Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) ruled that O'Connor must be stripped of his medal and he also received a three month ban from competition. On 10 June 2005, O'Connor's solicitor filed an official waiver of appeal in the FEI which made the Judicial Committee’s decision official. O'Connor lost his gold medal and the Irish Show Jumping Team was disqualified by the Olympic Board. The individual showjumping gold medal went to Brazilian Rodrigo Pessoa and the Irish team's seventh place was inherited by the Italians.

2009[link]

In December O'Connor was invited to jump at Olympia, London, finishing, on Rancorrado, 2nd in the World Cup Qualifier, his highest placing in a Qualifier to date. The next night he won the Grand Prix, and this in turn secured him the Leading Rider of the Show.^{[citation needed]}

2010[link]

CSI4* Basel, Switzerland: Grand Prix: 1st (Rancorrado)

CSI3* Lummen, Belgium: Grand Prix: 3rd (K Club Lady)

CSI3* Hagen, Germany: Grand Prix: 8th (K Club Lady)

CSI5* Global Champions Tour, Valencia, Spain: 1m50 class: 4th (K Club Lady) - €1,600 - just 1.65 seconds behind the winner.

CSIO5* Rome, Italy: Meydan FEI Nations Cup: 3rd on 12 faults: Cameron Hanley (Southwind VDL) - (8)/4; Darragh Kenny (Obelix) - 4/(8); Cian O'Connor (K Club Lady) - 4/0; Billy Twomey (Tinka's Serenade) - 0/4

CSIO5* St. Gallen, Switzerland: Grand Prix: 2nd (K Club Lady) - €60,000

Meydan FEI Nations Cup: 4th on 19 faults: Shane Breen (Carmena Z) 5/5; Darragh Kenny (Obelix) 5/(16); Cian O'Connor (K Club Lady) 9/4; Billy Twomey (Je T'aime Flamenco) (9)/0

CSI5* Global Champions Tour, Estoril, Portugal: Grand Prix: 8th (K Club Lady) - €6,000

CSIO5* World Equestrian Festival, Aachen, Germany: Meydan FEI Nations Cup: 1st on 4 faults: Billy Twomey ( Tinka's Serenade) 4/0; Dermott Lennon (Hallmark Elite) 0/0; Cian O'Connor (K Club Lady) 0/0; Denis Lynch (Lantinus) (4)/(NS)

Yageo Prize: 3rd (Splendor)

CSIO5* 'Failte Ireland' Dublin Horse Show, Dublin, Ireland: Meydan FEI Nations Cup: 2nd= on 20 faults: Billy Twomey (Tinka's Serenade) 0/4; Dermott Lennon (Hallmark Elite) (12)/(8); Cian O'Connor (K Club Lady) 8/0; Denis Lynch (Nabab's Son) 8/0 - leaving the team in 4th on the final standings.

'Land Rover' Puissance: 2nd= (Noctambule Courcelle) - clearing 2m10 - €9,850

CSIO5* Gijon, Spain: Grand Prix: 6th (K Club Lady) - €5,000

Meydan FEI Nations Cup: 5th= on 20 faults: Shane Breen (Carmena Z) (8)/0; Capt. David O'Brien (Mo Chroi) 0/(8); Cian O'Connor (Splendor) 8/0; Dermott Lennon (Hallmark Elite) 4/8

CSI5* Madrid, Spain: Grand Prix: 5th (K Club Lady) - €9,000

Puissance: 2nd (Noctambule Courcelle) - €6,000

The Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, Jumping World Championships, Kentucky: Team: Dermott Lennon (Hallmark Elite); Denis Lynch (Lantinus); Cian O’Connor (K Club Lady); Billy Twomey (Tinka’s Serenade)

1st Round - Speed Competition: 12th on 2.88 faults; Team in 8th

2nd Round - First round of the Nations Cup: 16th on a total of 6.88 faults

K Club Lady picked up a knock during this round, and O'Connor withdrew from continuing the Championships as an individual.

CSI4* Caen, France: 1m50 jump-off class: 3rd (Splendor) - earning €3,750

CSI5*-W Verona, Italy: Grand Prix: 10th (Splendor) - earning €1,500.

CSI3* Stockholm, Sweden: Grand Prix: 5th (Splendor) - earning €2,500.

CSI5*-W Geneva, Switzerland: Rolex FEI World Cup qualifier: 11th (Splendor) - €3,000

Geneva Derby: 1st (Umberto)

'Credit Suisse' Team Competition - Switzerland vs Europe vs America vs Rest of the World: 1st - Europe II (Larkhill Cruiser) - €3,000

Puissance: =3rd: (Asturias) - €1,500

CSI5*-W London Olympia, United Kingdom: Santa Stakes - 1m60 jump-off class: 1st (Splendor) - €6,480

2011[link]

CSI3*-W Dubai Championships, UAE: FEI World Cup Qualifier: 5th (Larkhill Cruiser) - €3,100

'Gulf News' Dubai Cup (Qualifier for the Grand Prix): 1st (Larkhill Cruiser) - €6,700

Accumulator: 1st (Arabella) - €4,200

O'Connor also earned the 'Leading Rider of the Show' award - €2,100

CSI3*-W Abu Dhabi, UAE: FEI World Cup Qualifier: 6th (Larkhill Cruiser) - €2,500

1m45 Two-Phase Competition: 3rd (Arabella) - €2,600

1m45 Jump-off: 4th (Arabella) - €2,900

1m40 Grand Prix Qualifier: 3rd (Larkhill Cruiser) - €3,200

CSI2*-W Sharjah, UAE: FEI World Cup Qualifier: 3rd (Larkhill Cruiser)

CSI4*-W Al Ain, UAE: FEI World Cup qualifier: 2nd (Larkhill Cruiser) - €11,800

Grand Prix qualifier: 3rd (Larkhill Cruiser) - €5,200

O'Connor also earned the 'Leading Rider of the Show' award

He and Larkhill Cruiser also secured the Leading Horse and Leading Rider Awards of the UAE World Cup Qualifying Tour.

CSI3* Vejer de la Frontera, Spain: Grand Prix (week 2): 3rd (Larkhill Cruiser) - €6,000

Grand Prix (week 3): 2nd (Larkhill Cruiser) - €4,500

Grand Prix (week 4): 3rd (Splendor) - €3,500

Grand Prix (week 5): 5th (Larkhill Cruiser) - €1,800

1m45 two-phase (week 2): 1st (Larkhill Cruiser) - €6,900

1m45 (week 3): 1st (Larkhill Criuser) - €6,900

CSIO5* La Baule, France: FEI Nations Cup: 1st on 13 faults: Shane Sweetnam (Amaretto Darco) 1/4; Billy Twomey (Romanov) 4/4; Cian O'Connor (Larkhill Cruiser) (4)/0; Cameron Hanley (Southwind VDL) 0/(17) - Team earned €64,000

CSI3* Pforzheim, Germany: Grand Prix: 2nd (Temple Road) - €13,000

CSIO5* Rome, Italy: Puissance: 2nd (On Ira) - €4,000

1m50 jump-off: 4th (Temple Road) - €1,995

1m50 jump-off: 5th (Splendor) - €1,610

CSIO5* 'Discover Ireland' RDS Dublin Horse Show, Ireland: 'Power and Speed': 5th (Splendor) - €1,750

'Land Rover' Puissance: =2nd (On Ira) - €3,766

CSIO5* Gijon, Spain: Grand Prix: 8th (Splendor) - €3,000

1m50 jump-off: 2nd (Carpe Diem) - €8,500

CSIO5* Barcelona, Spain: 'Seat' Grand Prix: 5th (Carpe Diem) - €9,000

CSI3* Horse of the Year Show, Birmingham, UK: 'Vinopolis' Speed Horse of the Year: 3rd (Goldex) - €3,600

CSI5*-W Helsinki, Finland: 1m50 'Porsche International Classic': 5th (Carpe Diem) - €2,500

1m40 'Power and Speed': 7th (Goldex) - €1,000

CSI4* Salzburg, Austria: 1m50 against the clock: 7th (O'Connell Street) - €1,300

CSI4* Porto, Portugal: 1m45 jump-off: 5th (Blue Loyd) - €1,667

2012[link]

Week 1 WEF Wellington, Florida: $30,000 'Surpass' Grand Prix: 3rd (Blue Loyd) - $3,900 (€3,079)

$25,000 'Suncast' 1m50 Championship: 4th (Everything) - $2,000 (€1,579)

Week 2 WEF CSI2* Wellington, Florida: $32,000 WEF Challenge II: 3rd (Blue Loyd) - $4,800 (€3,710)

$50,000 Grand Prix: 7th (Everything) - $1,500 (€1,160)

Week 3 WEF CSI2* Wellington, Florida: $50,000 'Horseware Ireland' Grand Prix: 4th (Blue Loyd) - $5,000 (€3,795)

$25,000 'Suncast' 1m50 Championship: 5th (Everything) - $1,500 (€1,138)

Week 4 WEF CSI2* Wellington, Florida: $80,000 Grand Prix: 6th (Blue Loyd) - $3,600 (€2,718)

$25,000 'Suncast' 1m50 Championship: 5th (KEC Alligator Alley) - $1,500 (€1,132)

Week 5 WEF CSI3*-W Wellington, Florida: $32,000 Suncast 1m50 Championship: 2nd (Everything) - $6,400 (€4,834); 4th (KEC Alligator Alley) - $3,200 (€2,417)

Week 8 WEF CSIO4* Wellington, Florida: $75,000 Nations Cup: 2nd (Shane Sweetnam / Amaretto d'Arco [0/4]; Richie Moloney / Slievenorra [4/0]; Darragh Kerins / Lisona [4/4]; Cian O'Connor / Blue Loyd [0/0])

$32,000 1m45: 3rd (KEC Alligator Alley) - $4,800 (€4,365)

Week 10 WEF CSI3* Wellington, Florida: $80,000 Grand Prix: 2nd (KEC Alligator Alley) - $16,000 (€12,116)

Week 11 WEF Wellington, Florida: $25,000 Suncast 1m50: 3rd (KEC Alligator Alley) - $3,250 (€2,451)

Week 12 WEF Wellington, Florida: $500,000 Grand Prix: 7th (Blue Loyd) - $15,000 (€11,258)

$32,000 Suncast 1m50: 6th (KEC Alligator Alley) - $1,440 (€1,080)

CSIO5* La Baule, France: FEI Nations Cup: Ireland =5th (Blue Loyd)

1m45-1m50: 4th (Da Vinci's Pride) - €2,300

Family and personal life[link]

O'Connor's parents, Tadgh and Louise, a chef, separated when he was seven. His maternal grandfather was the former Irish rugby international Karl Mullen. He is godson to Tony O'Reilly.^[3]

On 19 June 2002, Cian's then-girlfriend Hazel O'Callaghan, daughter of property tycoon Owen O'Callaghan, was fatally injured while trying to unload a horse from a trailer.^[3] He married Ruth Maybin on 31 December 2011 at Clongowes Wood College, Clane, Co Kildare.^[4]

Major Results[link]

• 2012
  • 2nd, Grand Prix - CSI3* Wellington, Florida (KEC Alligator Alley)
  • 2nd, FEI Nations Cup - CSIO4* Wellington, Florida (Blue Loyd)
• 2011
  • 2nd, Grand Prix - CSI3* Pforzheim, Germany (Temple Road)
  • 1st, FEI Nations Cup - CSIO5* La Baule, France (Larkhill Cruiser)
  • 3rd, Grand Prix - CSI3*, Week 4 Vejer de la Frontera, Spain (Splendor)
  • 2nd, Grand Prix - CSI3*, Week 3 Vejer de la Frontera, Spain (Larkhill Cruiser)
  • 3rd, Grand Prix - CSI3*, Week 2 Vejer de la Frontera, Spain (Larkhill Cruiser)
  • 2nd, FEI World Cup Qualifier - CSI4*-W, Al Ain, UAE (Larkhill Cruiser) - Also Leading Rider of the Show
  • 3rd, FEI World Cup Qualifier - CSI2*-W, Sharjah, UAE (Larkhill Cruiser)
• 2010
  • Meydan FEI Nations Cup of Aachen, Germany, (K Club Lady)
  • 2nd, Grand Prix - CSIO5*, St. Gallen, Switzerland, (K Club Lady)
  • Grand Prix - Basel CSI4*, Basel, Switzerland, (Rancorrado)
• 2009
  • Grand Prix - Olympia CSI5*-W, London, United Kingdom, (Rancorrado) - Also Leading Rider of the Show
  • 2nd, Rolex FEI World Cup Qualifier - Olympia CSI5*-W, London, United Kingdom, (Rancorrado) - Also Leading Rider of the Show
  • FEI World Cup Qualifier - CSI3*-W Tripoli, Libya, (Irish Independent Echo Beach)
  • 3rd, Rolex FEI World Cup Qualifier - Leipzig CSI5*-W, Germany, (Rancorrado)
• 2008
  • 2nd, Grand Prix - CSI5*-W Geneva, Switzerland, (Complete)
  • Grand Prix - CSI4* Chantilly, France, (Rancorrado)
• 2007
  • Nations Cup - CSIO5* Lummen, Belgium, (Irish Independent Echo Beach)
  • Nations Cup - CSIO4* Poznan, Poland, (Complete)
• 2005
  • 2nd, Grand Prix - CSI3* Frankfurt, Germany, (Waterford Crystal)

See also[link]

• Ireland at the 2004 Summer Olympics
• Equestrian at the 2004 Summer Olympics
• List of Irish sports people

References[link]

External links[link]

• Official website

Kristen Stewart
Kristen Stewart at the 2012 Wondercon on March 17, 2012
Born	Kristen Jaymes Stewart (1990-04-09) April 9, 1990 (age 22) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Occupation	Actress
Years active	1999–present
Signature
Website
kristenstewart.com

Kristen Jaymes Stewart (born April 9, 1990) is an American actress. She is best known for playing Bella Swan in The Twilight Saga. She has starred in other films, including Panic Room (2002), Zathura (2005), In the Land of Women (2007), The Messengers (2007), Adventureland (2009), The Runaways (2010), and Snow White and the Huntsman. She will star in upcoming films in 2012: On the Road and The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2.

Early life[link]

Stewart was born and raised in Los Angeles, California.^[1][2][3] Her father, John Stewart, is a stage manager and television producer who has worked for Fox.^[4] Her mother, Jules Mann-Stewart, is a script supervisor originally from Maroochydore, Queensland, Australia.^[3][5][6][7] She has an older brother, Cameron Stewart, and an adopted brother, Taylor.^[8][9] Stewart attended school until the seventh grade and then continued her education by correspondence.^[3] She has since completed high school.^[10]

Career[link]

Early work[link]

Her whole family all worked behind the camera and Stewart thought she would become a writer/director, but never considered being an actor. "I never wanted to be the center of attention – I wasn't that 'I want to be famous, I want to be an actor' kid. I never sought out acting, but I always practiced my autograph because I love pens. I'd write my name on everything."^[11] Stewart's acting career began at the age of eight, after an agent saw her perform in her elementary school's Christmas play.^[12] After a year of auditioning, Stewart's first role was a small nonspeaking part in the Disney Channel original film The Thirteenth Year.^[4] Then, she had another part in the film The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas as the "ring toss girl".^[4] She subsequently appeared in the independent film The Safety of Objects, in which she played the tomboy daughter of a troubled single mother (Patricia Clarkson). Stewart also played a tomboy in the film Panic Room, playing the diabetic daughter of a divorced mother (Jodie Foster). She was nominated for a Young Artist Award for her performance.^[13]

After Panic Room's success, Stewart was cast in another thriller, Cold Creek Manor, playing the daughter of Dennis Quaid's and Sharon Stone's characters. She was again nominated for a Young Artist Award for her performance.^[13] It was revealed that at about this time in her career, she had to be homeschooled due to her irregular schedule, which was affecting her grades. She said, "I started homeschooling because my teachers were failing me. I think it was just resentment – I made more work for them. But homeschooling is great; you can study what you want, which allows you to get more excited about what you're doing".^[13]

2004–07[link]

Her first starring role followed, in the children's action-comedy Catch That Kid, opposite Max Thieriot and Corbin Bleu. Stewart also played the role of Lila in the thriller Undertow. Stewart starred in the Lifetime/Showtime television film Speak (2004), based on the novel by Laurie Halse Anderson. Stewart, 13 at the time of filming, played high school freshman Melinda Sordino, who stops almost all verbal contact after being raped.

In 2005, Stewart appeared in the fantasy-adventure film Zathura, playing the role of Lisa, the irresponsible older sister of two little boys, who turn their house into a spacecraft hurtling uncontrollably in outer space by playing a board game. The film received praise by critics, but Stewart's performance did not garner much media attention, as it was noted that her character is immobilized during most of the film.^[14] The following year, she played the character Maya in Fierce People, directed by Griffin Dunne. After that film, she received the lead role of Jess Solomon in the supernatural thriller film The Messengers.

In 2007, Stewart appeared as teenager Lucy Hardwicke in In the Land of Women, a romantic drama starring Meg Ryan and Adam Brody. The film, as well as Stewart's performance, received mixed reviews. That same year, Stewart appeared in the Sean Penn-directed adaptation film Into the Wild. For her portrayal of Tracy – a teenage singer who has a crush on young adventurer Christopher McCandless (played by Emile Hirsch) – Stewart received mixed reviews. While Salon.com considered her work a "sturdy, sensitive performance",^[15] and the Chicago Tribune noted that she did "vividly well with a sketch of a role",^[16] Variety's critic Dennis Harvey said, "It's unclear whether Stewart means to be playing hippie-chick Tracy as vapid, or whether it just comes off that way."^[17] After Into the Wild, Stewart had a cameo appearance in Jumper and also appeared in What Just Happened, which was released in October 2008.^[18] She also co-starred in The Cake Eaters an independent film that has only been screened at film festivals.

2008–present[link]

On November 16, 2007, Summit Entertainment announced that Stewart would play Isabella "Bella" Swan in the film Twilight, based on Stephenie Meyer's bestselling vampire romance novel of the same name.^[19] Stewart was on the set of Adventureland when director Catherine Hardwicke visited her for an informal screen test which "captivated" the director.^[20] She starred alongside Robert Pattinson, who plays Edward Cullen, her character's vampire boyfriend. The film began production in February 2008 and finished filming in May 2008. Twilight was released domestically on November 21, 2008.^[21] Her performance garnered mixed reviews with some critcs calling her "the ideal casting choice" and praising her for conveying "Bella's detachment, as well as her need to bust through it"^[22] while others criticized her acting for being "wooden" and lacking variety in her facial expressions which they described as "blank".^[23]

Stewart reappeared as Bella in the sequel, The Twilight Saga: New Moon, once again receiving mixed reviews for her performance. Jordan Mintzer from Variety called Stewart "the heart and soul of the film" and praised her for giving "both weight and depth to dialogue...she makes Bella's psychological wounds seem like the real deal"^[24] Manohla Dargis from The New York Times said Stewart's "lonely-girl blues soon grow wearisome" throughout the film^[25] and Billy Goodykoontz from The Arizona Republic stated "Stewart is a huge disapointment... She sucks the energy right out of the film".^[26] She reprised this role in The Twilight Saga: Eclipse.

Kristen Stewart at the 2010 Academy Awards.

At the 2010 82nd Annual Academy Awards, Stewart and Twilight co-star Taylor Lautner presented a tribute in honour of the horror movie genre.^[27]

In 2009, Stewart starred in The Yellow Handkerchief, which debuted at the Sundance Film Festival and was released into theaters in 2010 by Samuel Goldwyn Films. She also starred alongside James Gandolfini in Welcome to the Rileys, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2010.

In 2010, Stewart portrayed rock star Joan Jett in The Runaways, a biographical film of the titular band of the same name from writer-director Floria Sigismondi.^[28] Stewart met with Jett over the 2008–2009 New Year to prepare for the role and ended up prerecording songs in a studio for the film.^[29] She received praise for her performance as the Metro Times wrote, "It turns out that Stewart is actually really good at capturing Jett's icy, tough-but-cool girl swagger, adding the needed touches of vulnerability that transform it into a pretty terrific performance... Stewart is a genuine rock star here."^[30] Also, A. O. Scott of The New York Times noted "Ms. Stewart, watchful and unassuming, gives the movie its spine and soul."^[31]

She was cast in the role of Mary Lou in an upcoming film adaptation of Jack Kerouac's cult classic novel On the Road. Shooting began in August 2010.^[32]

Stewart was listed as the highest earning female actress in Hollywood in the "2010's Top Hollywood Top Earners List" compiled by Vanity Fair. Throughout 2010, Stewart earned an estimated $28.5 million for all her movie appearances.^[33]

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1 was released on November 18, 2011. The film was successful in the box office making $283.5 million its opening weekend. Though the film received negative reviews, Stewart's performance was praised. Gabriel Chong called Stewart's performance "mesmerising" and said that she "makes [Bella's] every emotion keenly felt that runs the gamut from joy, trepidation, anxiety, distress and above all quiet and resolute determination"^[34] and the Village Voice's Dan Konis saying Stewart "beautifully underplays"^[35] the role. However, some critics found Pattinson and Stewart's chemistry lacking and said that the relationship came off like a "charade" onscreen^[36] or that none of the three leads were convincing in their roles.^[37]

In March 2011, it was confirmed that Stewart would be playing Snow White in the film Snow White and the Huntsman.^[38] Filming began on August 15 and the film was released on June 1, 2012.^[39]

On December 6, 2011, Stewart was named number one on Forbes magazine's list of Hollywood's Best Actors for the Buck.^[40]

She was named the new face of an unnamed Balenciaga perfume on January 13, 2012.^[41]

In May 2012, Stewart was cast in the thiller titled Cali, directed by Nick Cassavetes. She will begin shooting the film at the end of this summer.^[42] Stewart plays one half of a troublesome pair of San Fernando Valley lovebirds who decide to sell a fake snuff film and permanently ditch with the cash. Years later, Stewart's character runs into a dilemma when she's compelled to return to Los Angeles to help out the little sister she left behind. After faking her own death, she must explain her dramatic decision to not only her closest family members but to the angry former business partners she left behind.

Personal life[link]

Stewart currently lives in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles. She has expressed a desire to live and work in Australia, saying, "I want to go to Sydney University in Australia. My mom's from there."^[43] Apart from acting, she is also interested in attending college in the near future, saying, "I want to go to college for literature. I want to be a writer. I mean, I love what I do, but it's not all I want to do – be a professional liar for the rest of my life."^[44] In 2008, in an interview with Vanity Fair, Stewart acknowledged that she was in a relationship with Michael Angarano, her co-star from Speak.^[45]

Since meeting on the set of Twilight, Stewart has been romantically linked to co-star Robert Pattinson.^[46] Though they have never explicitly confirmed a relationship, paparazzi photographs and eyewitness accounts have driven intense media and fan speculation and attention, making "Robsten" the subject of wide media coverage.^[47] In an interview with GQ, when asked why she remained reluctant to talk about the relationship despite evidence of it being accessible online, Stewart replied, "Yeah, I know it is...So much of my life is so easily googled. I mean, it's like, come on guys, it's so obvious!"^[47] When asked why she refuses to talk about her life, Stewart replied "I'm selfish. I'm like, 'That's mine!' And I like to keep whatever is mine remaining that way. It's a funny little game to play and it's a slippery slope. I always say to myself I'm never going to give anything away because there's never any point or benefit for me. I guarantee whenever I get married or have a baby, everyone is going to want to know my kid's name and I'm not going to say it for ages."^[47]

Filmography[link]

Awards and nominations[link]

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Kristen Stewart

• Official website
• Kristen Stewart at the Internet Movie Database

Robert Pattinson
Pattinson at the premiere of Water for Elephants in 2011.
Born	Robert Thomas Pattinson (1986-05-13) 13 May 1986 (age 26) London, England , UK
Other names	Rob, R-Pattz,[1] Spunk Ransom[2] (nicknames)
Occupation	Actor, model, musician, producer
Years active	2004–present
Relatives	Lizzy Pattinson (sister)
Signature

Robert Thomas Pattinson^[3] (born 13 May 1986)^[4] is an English actor, model, musician, and producer.^[5] Born and raised in London, Pattinson started out his career by playing the role of Cedric Diggory in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.^[6] Later, he landed the leading role of Edward Cullen in the film adaptations of the Twilight novels by Stephenie Meyer, and came to worldwide fame,^[7][8] thus establishing himself among the highest paid and most bankable actors in Hollywood.^[9][10][11] In 2010, Pattinson was named one of TIME magazine's 100 Most Influential People in The World, and also in the same year Forbes ranked him as one of the most powerful celebrities in the world in the Forbes Celebrity 100.^[12][13]

Early life[link]

Pattinson was born in London, England. His mother, Clare, worked for a modelling agency, and his father, Richard, imported vintage cars from the U.S.^[14] Pattinson has two elder sisters, singer Lizzy Pattinson, and Victoria Pattinson.^[15][16] Growing up in the Barnes suburb of London,^[17] he attended Tower House School until he was 12, and then The Harrodian School.^[18][19] He became involved in amateur theatre at the Barnes Theatre Company. He auditioned and was cast in a small role in Guys and Dolls. He next auditioned for Thornton Wilder's Our Town and was cast as George Gibbs. He also played in Anything Goes and Macbeth.^[20] He caught the attention of an acting agent in a production of Tess of the d'Urbervilles and began looking for professional roles.

Career[link]

Modelling[link]

Pattinson began modelling when he was twelve years old, but the number of jobs began to decrease only four years later. In December 2008 he blamed the lack of work as a model on his masculine appearance: "When I first started I was quite tall and looked like a girl, so I got lots of jobs, because it was during that period where the androgynous look was cool. Then, I guess, I became too much of a guy, so I never got any more jobs. I had the most unsuccessful modelling career."^[21] Pattinson appeared in the advertising campaign for Hackett's autumn 2007 collection.^[22]

Acting[link]

Early career[link]

Pattinson had supporting roles in the made for television film Ring of the Nibelungs in 2004 and in director Mira Nair’s Vanity Fair, although his scenes in the latter were deleted and only appear on the DVD version.^[23] In May 2005, he was slated to appear in the UK premiere of The Woman Before at the Royal Court Theatre, but was fired shortly before the opening night and was replaced by Tom Riley.^[24] Later that year he played Cedric Diggory in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. For this role he was named that year's British Star of Tomorrow by The Times^[25] and had more than once been touted as the next Jude Law.^[19][26][27]

2008-present[link]

In 2008 Pattinson landed the coveted role of Edward Cullen in the film Twilight, based on Stephenie Meyer's best-selling novel of the same name. According to TV Guide, Pattinson was initially apprehensive about auditioning for the role of Edward Cullen, fearful that he would not be able to live up to the "perfection" expected from the character.^[28] The film was released on November 21, 2008 and turned Pattinson into an instant overnight moviestar.^[29] Though the film received mixed reviews, critics praised his and co-star Kristen Stewart's chemisty in the film.^[30] The New York Times called Pattinson a "capable and exotically beautiful" actor^[31] and Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times said he was "well-chosen" for the role.^[32]

After Twilight Pattinson starred in the independent films Little Ashes (in which he plays Salvador Dalí), How to Be (a British comedy), andThe Summer House.

He reprised his role as Edward Cullen in the Twilight sequel The Twilight Saga: New Moon which was released on November 20, 2009. The film earned a record-breaking $142,839,137 opening weekend and an overall run of $709,827,462 worldwide.^[33] Though the film received negative reviews, film critic Michael Phillips from the Chicago Tribune said Pattinson was still "interesting to watch" despite the bad makeup.^[34] Bill GoodyKoontz from the Arizona Republic said, "Pattinson's actually not in the film that much, but he does his best when he's around"^[35] and Michael O'Sullivan of the Washington Post noted that his acting was "uniformly strong".^[36]

Pattinson at the 2009 Academy Awards

In 2009 Pattinson presented at the 81st Academy Awards.^[37] On November 10, Revolver Entertainment released the DVD Robsessed, a documentary which details Pattinson's life and popularity.^[38]

On May 13, 2010, Pattinson appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show and on May 18, The Ellen DeGeneres Show for his film, The Twilight Saga: Eclipse.^[39] He attended the official worldwide red carpet premiere for The Twilight Saga: Eclipse on June 24, 2010, at the Los Angeles Nokia Theatre^[40] and the film was released on June 30, 2010, earning $698,491,347 worldwide.^[41][42]

In 2010, Pattinson executively produced and starred in the film Remember Me, which was released on March 12, 2010.^[43]

In 2011, he starred as Jacob Jankowski in Water for Elephants, a film adaptation of the Sara Gruen novel of the same name, with Christoph Waltz and Reese Witherspoon.^[44] The film received mixed reviews but Pattinson's performance was praised. Film critic Richard Corliss from Time praised Pattinson for being "shy and watchful" and said he "radiates a slow magnetism that locks the viewer’s eyes on him", ultimately calling him "star quality".^[45] Mick LaSalle from the San Francisco Chronicle stated that Pattinson succeeded at holding his own at the center of a major feature and was "endlessly watchable".^[46] Peter Travers of the Rolling Stone said he "smolders" in the film^[47] and Todd McCarthy of The Hollywood Reporter said, "Pattinson is entirely convincing as Jacob".^[48]